The 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports is now the fastest luxury four-door available, period. (Photo: Bentley) |
Whether equipped with its base 500 horsepower twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 good for 4.8 seconds from standstill to 100km/h and a 305 km/h (190 mph) top speed, the 520 horsepower version of the same engine found in the V8 S that’s capable of a 4.5-second sprint to 100km/h and 309 km/h (192 mph) terminal velocity, the 582 horsepower twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12-powered GT that achieves identical straight-line performance albeit a higher top speed of 319 km/h (198 mph), or the 633 horsepower version of that more potent W12 that’s capable of 4.1 seconds to 100km/h and a 332-km/h (206-mph) top speed, it’s a four-seat sport luxury coupe that few rivals come close to matching.
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Unique styling details set the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports apart from other trims in the Continental line. (Photo: Bentley) |
That’s even quicker off the line and ultimately faster than the previous benchmark Continental GT3-R, that model inspired by Bentley’s GT3 endurance racing car; the new Supersports the most powerful Bentley ever offered, its four wheels motivated by an otherworldly 750 lb-ft of torque. This not only makes it the quickest Bentley to ever sprint to 100km/h, but also the world’s fastest four-seat luxury vehicle, period.
What’s
An available spoiler adds needed downforce. (Photo: Bentley) |
For its Supersports application, the 6.0-litre W12 was revised with new higher-capacity turbos, a modified charge-air cooling system, and additional engine hardware including new main and conrod bearings. Additionally, a new torque converter that locks up faster gets all that twist down to the road, while torque-vectoring AWD (first introduced on the GT3-R) gives the already nimble Continental GT even greater claimed agility, and high-performance cross-drilled Carbon Silicon Carbide ceramic brakes featuring the largest production rotors in the world at 420 mm up front and 356 mm in the rear, plus enhanced cooling to minimize
A suitably rich interior incorporates unique colour combinations and diamond-quilted suede-like Alcantara upholstery. (Photo: Bentley) |
Gorgeous 21-inch forged alloy wheels (on 275/35ZR21 performance tires) are 20 kilos (44 lbs) lighter than standard GT rims, while Bentley can shave another five kilograms (11 lbs) from the Supersports’ overall mass by adding an available titanium exhaust system, although it should be noted its standard exhaust system is already upgraded for freer breathing and delivers a “rifle-fire crackle” backpressure note upon downshifts, says Bentley.
Speaking of weight, it shouldn’t be overlooked that the new Supersports is already the lightest-ever version of the current Continental GT, not to mention lighter than the previous 2009 Supersports model.
Back to its mechanical details, the Supersports utilizes a Bentley-tuned ZF eight-speed automatic with Quickshift manual mode, Block Shifting, and steering wheel-mounted
There’s nothing subtle about the Continental Supersports interior, but note Bentley offers many other cabin combinations as well as bespoke alterations. (Photo: Bentley) |
“The Supersports name is legendary at Bentley,” said Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors. “From the very first Supersports of the 1920s, to the Continental Supersports of 2009 – and now with the third iteration of this iconic model – it is a name which excites, impassions and thrills. Only Bentley could create a car which blends immense performance and unrivaled luxury in this way.”
Continental
The Continental Supersports gets all of the regular model’s 2017 digital upgrades, including improved infotainment. (Photo: Bentley) |
Supersports options include an “aerodynamically balanced” rear spoiler and front splitter combination for the coupe, special Supersports badging, new black and bright machined finishes for the 21-inch alloys, and available side decals, while those wanting a little less weight and more flash under the hood can opt for a gloss-finished, Supersports-branded carbon-fibre engine cover.
Inside, a unique three-hue “colour split” can be had, this being the first tri-tone motif made available in the current generation of Continental GT. Additionally, the seat
Exclusive diamond-patterned carbon-fibre inlays give the Continental Supersports eye-popping style. (Photo: Bentley) |
If yet more personalization is required, an ‘X Specification’ pack offers eight duo-tone paint treatments plus carbon-fibre door mirrors and heel plates. The previously noted titanium exhaust option is included, as are carbon-fibre finished interior side panels, the previously noted carbon-fibre engine cover, and a gloss black finish to the forged alloy wheels.
As with every Bentley model, the Continental Supersports can be further customized to individual tastes by the automaker’s Mulliner division, bespoke coach building at its finest.
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